Kate Upton was just named Model Of The Year at the Style Awards.
The honor puts her in the ranks of other fashion favorites like Christie Brinkley and Joan Smalls.
But just one year ago, Upton's future as a model seemed uncertain.
The industry speculated that Upton would be stuck with the identity of a swimsuit model forever.
She moved beyond her Sports Illustrated cover and has since been courted by Vogue and major fashion labels.
Upton hit the modeling scene in the 2011 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition. She was featured in body paint.
The next year, she appeared on the magazine's cover. Her spread was seen as instantly iconic.
She also walked the runway for a swimwear line. It seemed Upton had found her calling as a swimsuit model.
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